Representative photograph of the Brahmaputra river, which is called Siang in Arunachal Pradesh. (Pixabay)

Arunachal Pradesh government warned flash flood on the downstream of Siang river in the state after Chinese government informed India that a landslide on the river in Tibet region might burst any time.

Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district administration on Thursday asked public not to venture out to Siang, the major tributary of Brahmaputra originating in Tibet glaciers, and asking to stay alert after the Central Water Commission (CWC) was informed by the Chinese government about the landslide.

An order issued by the East Siang district administration headquarted at Pasighat, about 572 KM from here, said CWC informed the Arunachal Pradesh government that landslides blocked Milin section of the main stream of Brahmaputra called Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet at the 18 KM downstream of the river on October 16.

The information received by the administration, said that the blockade caused by landslides might burst any time causing flash flood on the downstream of Siang and might lead to loss of life and properties on a scale of devastation that occurred on June 11, 2000.

On June 11, 2000 Arunachal Pradesh experienced one of the worst devastations caused by flash flood following the bursting of an artificial lake cause by lanslides on Siang in Tibet.

“And therefore, in order to take preventive measures, the general public is hereby cautioned to refrain from venturing into Siang river or its periphery areas for collecting fire woods, fishing, swimming,” East Siang district magistrate Tamiyo Tatak said in the order.

The vulnerable areas identified by the administration in East Siang are Jarku, Paglek, SS Mission, Jarkong, Bankskota, Berung, Jampani, Sigar, Ralling Borguli, Seram, Kongkul, Namsing, Mer and Gadum. It asked public to remain alert “without panic for any eventuality.”

Police stations and district disaster management authority have also been alerted about the possibility of disaster, and asking them to take all preventive measures for mitigation.

The administration also informed that due to the landslides in the Tibetan region water level of Upper Siang in Arunachal Pradesh showed decreasing trend, recording 1.30 meter reduction from normal discharge at 9 AM on October 17.

On August 29, the East Siang district administration also warned of flooding after Chinese government informed India of heavy rainfall and large quantity of water discharge from the Yarlung Zangbo. According to the Chinese government, the river discharged 9020 cumec water on August 29, which was one of the highest in 50 years, causing flood in the downstream of Siang in Arunachal Pradesh. Water gushed down Siang causing large waves in Arunachal Pradesh. Over 100 people had to be rescued by Air Force chopper from a island on Siang following the flood.

This article was originally published on www.timesofindia.com.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.